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Guerrilla Warfare
In South America there are currently problems between three countries. The countries involved in the problem are Venezuela, Ecuador, and Columbia. Columbia guerrilla soldiers went over into Ecuador territory to carry out bombing raids. Venezuela and Ecuador responded by sending troops to the boarder of Columbia. Over the last few years Ecuador has destroyed 47 camps held by the Columbian forces and have made arrests as well. Ecuador has been attempting to control the border between it and Columbia, but because of its size it is difficult for them to keep people from passing over between countries. The armed forces of Ecuador and Columbia have been working together and have a pact, but the guerrilla fighters are still finding ways over into the country. As a result Ecuador has been breaking off ties with Columbia because of the violations against Ecuador.
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41442
http://www.indigenousportal.com/Self-Determination/Central-and-South-America.html


Push for oil

In the Amazon, President Rafael Correa is trying to increase oil production in an area that was known to be poor. This is bringing together regional groups that are normally in conflict with each other.
http://www.indigenousportal.com/Self-Determination/Amazon-indigenous-groups-unite.html

Diamond Smuggling
There is evidence that diamonds are being taken from Brazil and or Guyana into Venezuela. This is occurring a lot in this region not only in these parts of it. (Another problem that occurs in South America is the smuggling of diamonds into circulation in other countries. In Brazil, most of the diamond mines are on the Cinta Larga tribe, where it is illegal to mine. Despite this a black market trading has been going on since the 1990s. This is also a similar problem in Venezuela. They previously exported large amounts of diamond but have not since 2005, using Brazil and other areas like the US to get the diamonds into circulation.)
http://www.bnamericas.com/news/mining/Commission_finds_evidence_of_diamond_smuggling

Raposa-Serra do Sol
In the area of Brazil, wealthy farmers were trying to invade the territory that was given to the Indians of the Region. The Supreme Court upheld the Indians rites to the land. This is causing uproar between the Indians and the farmers because the land used to belong to the Indians but the farmers won’t let them have it back. The conflict has been going on for nearly 30 years and farmers were making their own bombs and weapons to attach the Indians. Judges said that the farmers must leave the land but a time to leave it wasn’t given, so the farmers think that as long as they eventually give it back, its fine for them to have it in the meantime. The Indians say that the land is their “mother” and not having it is destroying the way they live.
http://www.indigenousportal.com/Self-Determination/BRAZIL-INDIANS-REJOICE-AS-SUPREME-COURT-AFFIRMS-LAND-RIGHTS.html


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